Tardis Stationed in Bristol!

Laurence O'Brien

Bristol Classic Bike Show Report

The gloom of an overcast day deepened by the sad news
of Princess Margaret was put aside by the thoughts of another annual
meeting of old chums. Unfortunately my thoughts were not put far enough
aside since I had forgotten to charge the camera, format the floppies,
dig out a notebook, etc, etc. Usual shambles, I think it's called
life.

Another healthy turn-out by Wes'vinglun sections now encompassing
such diverse regions as Worcester, Wiltshire, Gloucester, Somerset,
Devon, and I think Cornwall. Jordan Miller, our youngest member
(aged 8 years) came along on his 1979 Honda Express (under the watchful
eye of his grandfather, Mike Jones, who had his other equally watchful
eye on his rare Teagle and Cyclemaster in pillion frame). Teagle
is a Cornish agricultural machinery manufacturer based in Truro, at one
time making small-engined farming tools like strimmers, but now
concentrating on much larger devices. A couple of Teagle
employees called by and were absolutely delighted and intrigued at
seeing one of their earlier products on display - it seems that the
owner of Teagle has no interest in the past and doesn't retain copies
of his production line. When asked about the eagle motif on the
engine cover, which Mike thought had Germanic overtones, the response
was that it was derived from no more than removing the 'T' from
Teagle! Geoff Warren is still so impressed by his original trim
Vélo 3800 that that was on show. Ian Edwards brought his
Motobécane Sports Special and a Tri-ang scooter (in very
unrestored condition). Ian showed his latest photo album which
included all of his machines - this had to be done in one of those arty
panoramic vista shots with 4 or 5 frames to capture the whole
collection, and it all came out of an 18' x 9' garage in North Bristol
- hence the Tardis heading reference - one of those "...if I hadn't seen
it with my own eyes...", thingies. In amongst the collection was a
mini-collection of Reliant bikes - one of which Ian had on show at the
Reliant stand. Anyway, a gent of slightly more mature years came
in search of him since that particular Reliant bike was the very one
that he had bought his wife many moons ago. And he'd like it
back, please.

Ah! Easier said than done since this is now a critical part of
the collection, and it was also unusual, if not rare. See, you
never know what you've got 'til it's gone! No more garage
clear-outs then.

Buzz Howell's Hercules Corvette tucked itself away in a corner and
Mike Rendall started the East Wing of our display area with his
Excelsior Autobyk. Mike Crumpton was a late entry with a
Mini-Motor - and Dave Smith donated an NSU Quickly in original
unrestored condition. Alan Hibberd's VAP4 came in as displayed in
shop quality.

Chris Bowden's 1940 James Autocycle Deluxe won the Highly
Recommended award and a later chat over the restoration revealed some
of his genius and cunning in restoration to achieve what looks like the
original manufacturer's beaded edge around the pressed steel panels.

A 1951 British Salmon Cyclaid in very nice order was exhibited by
Alistair Currie, and Roy Best's Berini brought up the last bike on this
leg. Now this 1951 Berini had been bought at a previous show where it
was no more than a box of bits - no, more of a plastic bag of bits - I
thought it was pure madness to buy, but money changed hands and Roy had
himself a project. Not all parts were present and he's had to
improvise, but the finish is really quite stunning - more so since I
have a Berini M13 still languishing in the shed. And talking of
sheds, and in spite of Roy denying any knowledge of computing, he seems
to have grabbed the highly original e-mail moniker of
or something like.

Keith Cook's Triumph mounted Mini-Motor was suspended from one of
Steve Wayte's impressive Victorian cast iron cycle stands in front of
the the static exhibits.

In the centre stage, the public were captured by Graham Langley's
superbly restored 1957 NSU Quickly Cavallino, resplendent with an NSU
582 number plate. But the accolade had to go to a "foreigner" in
more ways than one - Dave Casper dropped in with his son Robert's
delightful looking Italian model Nassetti Brunetta and stole the Best
Cyclemotor award - a rather racy lady's bike married to Webb forks all
done in French Blue and gold transfers, most of the gear being unused
period stock. Although the petrol tank as displayed was not for
that bike, an original type is in possession ready to complete.
The project started off by Robert pestering the "old man" for a bike of
his own, and this was duly presented as a 13th birthday present in
1992. The bike has been round Silverstone with Robert in command,
although since he was only 14 years old at the time he had to pedal and
not motor! A good story none-the-less.

So, another highly successful year down to Bob and Steve
Wayte. In spite of the early camera problems I do have a photo
record of the exhibits which I shall endeavour to link to the Buzzing
page. Now, rather embarrassingly Bob has awarded our local Avon
Engraving Trophy to yours truly for eight years of show reports.
Very generous. Thank you.